TEGUCIGALPA, June 28 (Xinhua) -- Honduran Supreme Court said Sunday that it has authorized the removal from office of President Manuel Zelaya and the nation's armed force has acted in defense of the rule of law.

"Legal authorities formally declare that if the source of the action taken today is a judicial order issued by a competent judge, then their execution is within the framework of legal precepts," read broadcaster HRN from a statement issued by Danilo Izaguirre, a Supreme Court spokesman.

Such an order "must also oppose anything that may stand in the way of Honduras being returned to the rule of law," the statement said.

The statement said that the armed forces were "defenders of the constitution and had acted in defense of the rule of law, forcing compliance from those who had publicly declared themselves to be against and who had taken action against the constitution."

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) in a statement broadcast on national television said that existing plans for a Nov. 29 general election would go ahead.

Saul Escobar, president of the TSE, said there would be elections "in fulfillment of the constitution and that the Honduran people would be able to have a free vote to achieve changes of presidency within a climate of peace."